Chapter 9: Inking Special Effects

Sometimes inking requires us to answer a set of questions relating to how to render something. How can we make a textured, grungy look? How can we use the digital space to make repetitive inking tasks easier and more efficient?

Becoming familiar with the other drawing tools and how to customize them is the best way to save time when drawing. When you have a core understanding of how to create and customize tools, you can make special ones that solve problems and speed up your workflow. Some people who don't understand digital art refer to this as cheating because they think that the software is doing the work for you. However, making custom tools that can create a grungy effect, or make lightning, or even create a crowd scene for us is no more cheating than using a ruler or a compass on a piece of paper. It is merely making the most use of your tools and finding solutions to the unique challenges you face as an artist.

In this chapter, we...